As a young 16 year old girl Shana has spent her childhood in the safety of her fathers home. But since the violent death of her mother there has been a dark shadow hanging over her head. After several failed attempts on her life her father, leader of a small paranormal family has only one person to call for help. And that is the last person who he wants in his home. The King of Shadows himself. Araphel has been wondering the mortal realm for a long time. And when he receives the call for help from his long time enemy he goes to him home to hurt him and refuse him. There has been bad blood between two powerful man that started long time ago with the death of the girls mother. Will the King of Shadows find mercy on his heart and save the innocent girl? Or is there some other more sinister plan he has on his mind? She pretended not to notice what was happening. She pretended to read her book which she held close. And when the darkness turned into a warrior she pretended not to be scared. She heard steps. Heavy steps which reminded her of the swamp. She looked towards the door of the library but no one opened them. Father and Davon will not return. Her heart told her they have left her here in purpose. They have left her because they knew darkness was coming. They have fled. Warrior was in front of her now and she didn’t even hear him coming. And even though fire was strong his body somehow stayed almost in shadow. She looked at him with eyes of the girl she was. Araphel realized that for a very long time no one looked at him like her. It was an innocent in front of him. Sitting in an armchair she seemed even smaller than she was. That night in the swamp he decided not to look at her. He just wrapped her in the warmth of his coat and raised her from the mud. Refused to see her. But this time that could not be avoided. She had a simple white dress on. Will there be time for her to wear black in mourning? Her face was pale. Too serious for someone her age. Dark her fell on her shoulders in waves. Dark eyes. Much darker than he could have imagined. It surprised him more than anything else. It was so easy to see himself in them. And much more than that. It was easy to see everything he could become. And he found his heart beating faster. It must have been a mistake. His heart was in a far away different, unknown place. It was impossible for his heart to be in this room with this girl that looked at him with those dark eyes. The eyes in which he saw the moon, stars, entire galaxies of space. And in the middle of that flame and coldness he saw himself.

This is a sequel to Her King of Shadows, but can be read as a standalone also. For Nahara life has been hard and lonely. As an orphan she has been moving from one foster home to another trying to forget the memories of the past. She dreamed of becoming a professional dancer but had to forget that dream due to her injuries. Now she is just busy trying to keep on the surface of her grim reality. Until one night the fate brings her to a bridge where a man is ready to jump. Einar a powerful and determined business man had decided to say enough to loneliness. Having given up to life he jumps from the bridge only to have Nahara to try to save him and jump after him into a cold river. It took one moment for him to recognize in her eyes all that he has been looking for. For Einar is not of this world. He is the keeper of the gate of dragons waiting for his King to return. And Nahara is not some powerless girl. She is his destined one that he had already lost in the dragon kingdom. But all is done yet. He has found her again. And this time he is ready for everything to keep her by his side. Even to deny the dance of the fire. Nahara belonged to the world of shadows. The world he had left willingly and could not come back to. He had stood up from the water going back to the light. Feeling the restlessness of his position. The weaknesses of his fate. His eyes met hers. She was waiting for him in the half darkness of the cave. This time dark eyes had nothing to hide. Slowly making her way to him. Dressed in a see through silver dress that showed her skin. Being more brave than he could ever be. She stopped in front of him. Her eyes taking him all in. his strong body. Tanned skin. Golden markings on his hands and chest. Showing the making of a dragon prince. Tomorrow she would leave. And he wondered if this is the first time she had showed herself to a warrior. Was this something Araphel daughter would do as a part of her web to ruin him? She could almost hear his thoughts. Their bond was still strong. -I only ask one night. One night where I will feel loved. Safe. Protected. One night that I will spend next to you. In your arms. A part of your dreams. One night out of many that we will never share. I wish to have one single night as your destined one. By your side. Like it was supposed to be before the darkness comes down to our lives to ruin us. Can you give me as much Lord Einar? Can you gift me one night of happiness that will last me for the rest of my life? it is all I seek from you before I leave.-it was a simple request. But it cost her her entire heart. He looked at her in front of him. Wondering how many times before has she made such a request? Asking himself why would a princess like her throw away her honor and same for one night with him? Not giving her an answer his hand touched her check. Going down to her neck. He was obsessed with her. The softness of her skin. The smell of her hair. The light in her dark eyes. It was so perfect he almost found himself begging her to stay. But that was what she wanted. And that was what he will never give to her. His lips touched hers. Maybe with too much force but she didn’t back away. She kept his lips on hers not complaining of the pain. Closing her eyes. At least feeling something more than death. At least with this warrior she was feeling alive. He had picked her up from the floor. Carrying her to a simple bed made of animal skins. There will be no soft bed for her. There will be no silk sheets for Araphels daughter. He had put her down tearing up her dress. Destroying the silk necklaces she wore around her neck. Throwing away the black diamonds of her family. Covering her skin with his hands. She had kissed him now. Nahara had given her heart to that kiss. She had given her soul to him in that cave. She had sacrificed her honor and her name for him. Even knowing that he will never accept her. Knowing that they will not have a happy end as if stories she was told when small. Einar covered her body with his. Still looking at those dark eyes when he had entered her. Seeing the pain. Realizing the truth. Stopping for a second. His mind racing. His heart bleeding. As she was bleeding under him. Nahara hid her face on his shoulder. Letting shudders of pain leave her body. -Nahara.-he had whispered to her ear. That was the voice she had learned to love. That was the voice belonging to her destined one. That voice will never accept her. -I am yours.-she had said the words he would never say. Einar could feel the love she had for him. The forgiveness of the things he had not done. And the things he was about to do. Slowly he had kissed her again. More gently. Much more gently this time. She had melted in his hands. Grabbing his shoulders as if her life depended on him. As if he was the only person that made her feel alive and her heat beating. She had surrendered herself to him. Completely. With all her body, heart and soul. There was no going back. He had taken her